Portable spa

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a portable spa having a tray for centralized mounting of the various spa components. More specifically, the invention provides a portable spa or hot tub that utilizes a mounting tray for connection of the various spa components, including the ozonator, heater, control panel, and electrical connection interface. The tray is mounted to a support frame within a cavity residing between the spa tub and enclosure formed from exterior panels. The tray includes an arrangement of bays, wherein each bay is specifically dimensioned to receive a particular spa component and secure the component in a force fit. The bay arrangement includes a first bay that receives an electrical connection interface box or junction box. The mounting tray also includes a second bay that receives the control panel, a third bay that receives an ozonator, and a fourth bay that receives a heater and valves. The fist through fourth bays are arrayed about a central portion that is recessed from a flange of the tray.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/597,414, which was filed on Nov. 29, 2005.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a portable spa featuring centralized mountingof the various spa components. More specifically, the invention providesa portable spa or hot tub that utilizes a mounting tray for connectionof the various spa components, including the ozonator, heater, controlpanel, and electrical connection interface, in one location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable spas, or hot tubs as they are also referred to, are well-knownand can be found in both residential and commercial settings. While suchconventional portable spas provide some benefits, they nevertheless havecertain limitations. For example, the various components that areutilized to operate the spa, such as an ozonator, heater and controlpanel, are mounted throughout a cavity between the spa shell and theenclosure. As a result, a significant amount of conduit, lines andpiping are needed to interconnect the various components. In addition,the mounting of these components in various locations of the cavitysignificantly increases the manufacturing and assembly costs, asmeasured from material and labor standpoints. Furthermore, residentialowners of conventional spas find diagnostic and maintenances tasks to bedifficult and time consuming, and prefer to have a service technicianaddress the task, despite the associated costs and the delay resultingfrom the time required for the technician to travel to the owner'slocation. Thus, conventional spas suffer from a number of limitations asreflected in the manufacturing and servicing deficiencies.

The present invention is provided to solve the limitations ofconventional portable spas discussed above and other problems, and toprovide advantages and aspects not provided by prior portable spas. Afull discussion of the features and advantages of the present inventionis deferred to the following detailed description, which precedes withreference to the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a portable spa featuringcentralized mounting of the spa components. More specifically, theinvention provides a portable spa or hot tub that utilizes a supporttray for mounting of the various spa components, including the ozonator,heater, control panel, and electrical connection interface. The tray ismounted to a support frame within a cavity of the spa by fasteners thatextend through a peripheral flange of the tray. Exterior panelsremovably enclose the cavity and the mounting tray.

According to an aspect of the invention, the tray includes anarrangement of bays or receptacles, wherein each bay is specificallydimensioned to receive a particular spa component. A force fit isutilized to secure a component within a bay, wherein the force fitrequires the bay to have dimensions, such as a periphery, that slightlyexceeds dimensions of the component, such as the component periphery.The bay arrangement includes a first bay that receives an electricalconnection interface box or junction box. The mounting tray alsoincludes a second bay that receives the control panel, a third bay thatreceives an ozonator, and a fourth bay that receives a heater andvalves. The bays comprise a side wall arrangement and a rear wall thatresults in the bay being cooperatively dimensioned with the component toachieve the force fit. The bays are arrayed about a central portion andare recessed from the central portion of the tray.

According to an other aspect of the invention, the mounting tray has anarticulated rear surface resulting from the first, second, third andfourth bays. Because the bays extend rearward from the central portion,the respective rear walls are positioned rearward or behind the centralportion and the flange. In an installed position, the flange resides ina first plane that is inward of a reference plane in which the exteriorpanel resides, the central portion resides in a second plane that isinward of the first plane, and the rear wall of the second bay residesin a third plane that is inward of the second plane.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing specification taken in conjunction with the followingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art portable spa, showingvarious spa operating components scattered throughout the spa cavity;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portable spa of the invention, showinga mounting tray and operating components connected thereto;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mounting tray, showing the operatingcomponents secured within bays of the mounting tray;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the mounting tray, showing the operatingcomponents exploded from the mounting tray;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a front side of the mounting tray;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rear side of the mounting tray; and,

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of the mounting tray taken along line 7-7 ofFIG. 3, showing the mounting tray and the operating components in aninstalled position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broadaspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

FIG. 1 depicts a conventional portable spa 500 that includes an externalsupport frame 510 for a spa shell or tub 512, wherein a cavity 514 isdefined there between. In general terms, the external support frame 510comprises a plurality of horizontal frame members 516 and vertical framemembers 517 to which the various operational components 515 that areutilized to operate the spa 500 are coupled. These operationalcomponents 515 include an ozonator 518 mounted to an upper horizontalmember 516 in one region of the cavity 514, and an electrical connectioninterface 520 mounted to another horizontal member 516 in a secondregion of the cavity 514. A control panel 522 is mounted next to theozonator 518 in a third region of the cavity 514, while a heater 524 andthe associated piping reside in a fourth region of the cavity 514between the ozonator 518 and the electrical interface 514. Because thecomponents 515 are scattered within the cavity 514, a multitude of linesand piping/conduits run between the components 515 and thereby consumeconsiderable space within the cavity 514. The assembly of theconventional spa 500 is both time consuming and inefficient for a numberof reasons, including the fact that the components 515 are mounted invarious locations throughout the cavity 514. In addition, running andsecuring connection lines and conduits between the dispersed componentsincreases the assembly time and costs.

A number of side panels 526 are removably affixed to the support frame510 to enclose the cavity 514 and the operational components 515therein. To access the various components 515 within the cavity 514 fordiagnostic or servicing purposes, the spa owner and/or the servicetechnician must remove the side panels 526. Many residential owners ofconventional spas 500 find this task to be very time consuming and/orunappealing, and prefer to have such a service technician address thetask despite the associated costs of a service visit. Even if the owneris willing to remove the side panels 526, the owner still faces thedaunting task of searching the cavity 514 to find and assess theparticular component 515 that is malfunctioning. Thus, the conventionalspa 500 suffers from a number of deficiencies that adversely affect theassembly, long-term use, enjoyment and servicing of the spa 500.

FIGS. 2-7 provide a portable spa 10 of the invention that includes acentralized mounting system 12 for the various spa components 14. Thespa or hot tub 10 includes a support frame 16 for a spa shell or tub 18and a cavity 20 defined there between. A removable cover 21 that fitsover the shell 18 may be utilized when the spa 10 is not in use (seeFIG. 2). As explained in greater detail below, the mounting system 12comprises a mounting tray 22 that is affixed to a portion of the frame16 and which contains a number of bays 24 that are cooperativelydimensioned to receive a particular component 14. The tray 22 may beinjection molded from a polymer, or thermoformed from a plastic sheet.In contrast to conventional hot tubs 500 where the components 515 arescattered throughout the cavity 514, the mounting system 12 provides theinventive spa 10 with centralized mounting and connection of the variouscomponents 14. This aspect provides numerous benefits, including but notlimited to, reduced assembly time of the spa 10 since the components 14are affixed to a centralized location, instead of being scatteredthroughout the cavity 20. Material costs are also reduced because fewerconnectors are required to secure the various spa components 14, andshorter lines and conduits 26 are needed between the components 14 andthe tub 18. Furthermore, the time and cost to perform diagnostic andmaintenance tasks are reduced since the spa owner and/or servicetechnician perform such tasks at a single location—the mounting tray 22.In contrast, those maintaining and servicing the conventional spa 500 ofFIG. 1 must proceed through a time consuming process that includesremoving a number of side panels 524 and then working their way throughthe cavity 514 to find, evaluate and fix or replace the faultycomponent(s) 515.

In an installed position PI of FIGS. 2 and 7, the mounting tray 22 issecuredly connected to the support frame 16 and the spa components 14are affixed to the mounting tray 22 for operation of the spa 10. Themounting tray 22 is connected to an upper header 27 and a lower footer28, and between two vertical members 30 of the support frame 16 byfasteners 31. In one embodiment where the header 26, footer 28 andvertical members 30 are fabricated from wood, the fasteners 31 areelongated screws. Preferably, the fasteners 31 extend through aperipheral region or flange 32 of the mounting tray 22. In mostembodiments, the spa 10 has a substantially square or rectangularconfiguration, wherein the cavity 20 resides between the tub 18 and thesupport frame 16. Thus, the cavity 20 has a configuration thatcorresponds to the overall configuration of the spa 10. To enclose thecavity 20, a plurality of removable panels 34 are connected to thesupport frame 16, including external to the mounting tray 22. Thesupport frame 16 and the panels 34 collectively define an enclosureabout the spa shell 18. Those panels 34 about the mounting tray 22 areadapted to provide access to the spa components 14 for diagnostic and/orservicing purposes. For example, hinges or sliding tracks can beutilized to allow for movement of those panels 34 in order to expose themounting tray and spa components 14. Instead of the panel 34, aprotective casing may enclose the tray 22 and the various components 14.The casing may include an opaque portion and a transparent portion,where the latter portion allows the owner and/or service personnel toobserve the operating parameters of specific components 14. Preferably,the casing is moveable between a closed position and an open position,wherein the components 14 are accessible. A shroud, residing within thecavity 20, may extend rearward from the mounting tray 22 to enclose thearea between the support frame 16 and the tray 22. Preferably, theshroud is formed from plastic and improves the aesthetic appearance ofthe area about the tray 22.

Referring to FIGS. 2-7, the mounting tray 22 includes an arrangement ofbays or receptacles 24, wherein each bay 24 is specifically dimensionedto receive a particular spa component 14 for connection of the component14 to the tray 22. In one embodiment, a force fit is utilized to securea component 14 within a bay 24, wherein the force fit requires the bay24 to have dimensions, such as a periphery, that slightly exceedsdimensions of the component 14, such as its periphery. Unlikeinterference fits, the force fit between the bay 24 and the component 14does not require the component 14 to overlap the bay 24. The force fitof a component 14 within a bay 24 obviates the need to use specializedtools to install or mount components 14. Moreover, a component 14 can beun-plugged and then easily removed from the respective bay 24 by hand,which increases the efficiency of installing replacement components 14.Preferably, each bay 24 is configured and sized to receive a single typeof components 14, for example, a control panel, ozonator, a heater, oran electrical connection box or interface. More preferably, each bay 24is configured and sized to receive a component 14 supplied by aparticular manufacturer. Accordingly, the bays 24 can be configured toreceive components 14 from original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”), andnot non-OEM components which may suffer in quality and performance. OEMcomponents 14 are preferred because they have been reviewed and approvedby third-party compliance certifiers, such as UL, CE or ETL. Because thebays 24 are configured to receive OEM components 14, the likelihood thata service technician fabricates a mount or sub-mount for non-OEMcomponents, often referred to as a “work-around,” is significantlyreduced. In the context of replacing components, this cooperativedimensioning of the bay 24 ensures that the owner or service technicianonly installs the appropriate component to the tray 22. Further, amanufacturer may tailor the performance characteristics of eachcomponent 14 for specific trays 22 to extend the operational life of thecomponent 14.

The bay arrangement 24 includes a first bay 36 that receives anelectrical connection interface box or junction box 38. Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, the first bay 36 is defined by an arrangement of sidewalls 40 and a rear wall 42 that collectively form a closed sleeve thatsecures the junction box 38 in a force fit. While four side walls 40—atop wall, a left wall, a right wall, and a bottom wall—are shown tocombine with the rear wall 42 to form the bay 36, as few as two sidewalls 40 may be utilized to form the bay 36. Thus, at least two sidewalls 40 are utilized to form the first bay 36. Alternatively, the rearwall 42 is omitted and the first bay 36 includes only the side walls 40,wherein the bay 36 has an open-ended sleeve configuration. Because theside walls 40 extend rearward from a central portion 44 of the tray 22,the first bay 36 is recessed from a central portion 44, which itself isrecessed from the flange 32 that extends along the periphery of the tray22. In one embodiment, the first bay 36 is recessed an amount such thata front portion of the junction box 38 resides forward of the centralportion 44 and a rear portion of the junction box 38 resides aft orrearward of the central portion 44. Although not shown, electric leads,such as 220 volt leads, may be connected to the junction box 38 toprovide power to the spa 10. The first bay 36 may include detachablepanels or knock-outs 43, in either the side wall 40 or the rear wall 42,which provide openings that accommodate the electric leads. As explainedabove, the junction box 38 is secured within the first bay 36 by a forcefit resulting from the cooperative dimensioning between the bay 36 andthe box 38. The bay 36 may include additional means to secure thejunction box 38. The securing means may be an elongated fastener (e.g.,a screw or pin), a moveable latch, a deformable finger, or elastomericseal. The finger flexes to allow for entry of the junction box 38 intothe bay 36, but resists detachment of the box 38. The seal extends alongthe periphery of the bay 36 and also flexes to permit reception of thebox 38 within the bay 36.

The mounting tray 22 also includes a second bay 46 that receives acontrol panel 48 in a force fit. Similar to the first bay 36, the secondbay 46 comprises an arrangement of side walls 47 and a rear wall 49 thatresults in the bay 46 being cooperatively dimensioned with the panel 48to achieve the force fit. Since the control panel 48 has a generallyrectangular shape, the side wall arrangement 47 is similarly shaped andgenerally comprises a top wall portion, a bottom wall portion, andopposed side portions. As shown in FIG. 7, at least a top wall of thearrangement 47 engages an upper surface of the control panel 48 forretention of the panel 48 within the bay 46. The panel 48 has an overalldepth and the bay 46 is preferably configured such that a substantialportion of the panel depth resides within the second bay 46. The bay 46may include supplemental engaging walls 49a extending from either a sidewall 47 or a rear wall 49 and that correspond to panel 48 shapes, suchas indents or recesses. Because the side walls 47 extend rearward fromthe central tray portion 44, the second bay 46 is recessed from thecentral portion 44. In one embodiment, the second bay 46 is recessed anamount such that a front portion of the control panel 48 resides forwardof the central portion 44 and a rear portion of the control panel 48resides aft of the central portion 44. The control panel 48 includes amicrocontroller 48 a for operational control of the spa 10, includingthe interaction between the various components 14. The panel 48 includesinterconnection elements or sockets 50 that accept wires 51 thatelectrically connect the various components 14 to the panel 48. Aperipheral portion 45 of the tray 22 that is located between the flange32 and the panel 48 includes an opening 45a (see FIGS. 3 and 4) thataccepts the wires 51. To secure the various wires 51, a wiring harnessor clip may utilized, and the central portion 44 has recessed channels44a (see FIG. 5) that accept an extent of the wires 51. A detachableelectric cable 54 extends between the junction box 38 and the controlpanel 48, wherein the cable 54 includes a plug 55 that electricallyconnects with a socket 39 in the box 38. To interrupt power to the spa10 for servicing purposes, the spa owner or technician merely un-plugsthe cable 54 from the junction box 38. The bay 46 and/or the panel 48may include additional means to secure the control panel 48. Thesecuring means may be a bracket 53 that extends from either the panel 48or the bay 46 and a fastener (e.g., a screw or pin) extending therethrough. Additionally, the securing means may be hook and pile material(i.e., Velcro) 37 (see FIG. 7).

The control panel 48 may include a monitoring interface 52 that displaysthe operational condition of the spa 10 and the various components 14.The interface 52 can display error codes and/or status codes provided bythe microcontroller 48 a to aid with the diagnosis and servicing of thecomponents 14. The control panel 48 is linked to a controller unit 110that is mounted in the spa shell 18 and that includes a display windowthat displays the operational status of the tub 10. The controller unit110 also includes means for adjusting the spa operating characteristics,wherein the adjusting means includes an array of buttons, a pointer or acontrol knob. When an operating parameter falls below a pre-setthreshold or a component 14 requires maintenance or replacement, thecontroller unit 110 may display an error and/or status code. Preferably,the monitoring interface 52 also displays the error and/or status codes.Once the panel 34 is removed to provide access to the tray 22 and thecomponent 14 mounted thereto, the owner or service technician simplyun-plugs and removes the malfunctioning component 14 from the respectivebay 24, and inserts a replacement component 14 into the bay 24, where itis secured therein by the force fit. No special tools are required toconduct the component replacement, which increases the efficiency of theprocess.

In one embodiment, the spa 10, namely the control panel 48, includes awireless communication module 112 linked to the microcontroller 48 a inthe panel 48 to wirelessly communicate with a service center for remotemonitoring and alerting. The communication module 112 comprises atransmitter and receiver or combined trans-receiver, and an encoder.When a spa component 14 malfunctions or fails, a notification conditionoccurs and the control panel 48, via the wireless module 112, sends afirst wireless signal to the service center alerting qualified personnelof the notification condition. The control panel 48 may send a copy ofthe first signal to the spa owner's wireless device, such as a personaldigital assistant, to further advise the owner of the notificationcondition. The service center receives and processes the first signal toassess the notification condition and determine whether a service visitand/or a replacement component 14 is necessary. Assuming that both areneeded, the service center sends a second wireless signal to the spaowner's wireless device to schedule a service visit and/or advise of theshipment of a replacement component 14. Depending upon the severity ofthe notification condition, the service center sends a third wirelesssignal to the control panel 48 to adjust operating parameters tocompensate for the component 14 in question, or to cease operation ofthe spa 10. The service center sends a fourth wireless signal to aservice technician while in the field advising of the spa owner'slocation and the notification condition, such that the servicetechnician can be routed directly to the spa 10 for a service visit.Once the service technician confirms receipt of the fourth signal, theservice center sends a fifth wireless signal to the spa owner advisingof the impending service visit. In the event that the notificationcondition only requires the shipment of a replacement component 14, andnot a service visit, the service center sends a sixth wireless signal tothe control panel 48 and/or the spa owner's wireless device advising ofthe shipment of the replacement component 14. The various signalsdescribed in this paragraph can be displayed with text and/or symbols bythe monitoring interface 52 and the controller unit 110. The wirelessmodule in the control panel 48 may utilize a proprietary networkingprotocol, or use a standard networking control protocol, such as Zigbee,Bluetooth, or IEEE 802.11.

The mounting tray 22 further includes a third bay 56 that receives anozonator 58 in a force fit. Similar to the first and second bays 36, 38,the third bay 56 comprises an arrangement of side walls 57 and a rearwall 59 that results in the bay 56 being cooperatively dimensioned withthe ozonator 58 to achieve the force fit. In one embodiment, the thirdbay 56 is recessed an amount such that a front portion of the ozonator58 resides forward of the central portion 44 and a rear portion of theozonator 58 resides aft of the central portion 44. The bay 56 and/or theozonator 58 may include additional means to secure the ozonator 58within the bay 56. For example, the ozonator 58 has at least onemounting bracket 62 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) that is received within a lobe64 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of the third bay 56, wherein a fastener (e.g., ascrew or pin) joins the two structures.

Below the first, second and third bays 36, 46, 56, the mounting tray 22includes a fourth bay 66 that receives a heater element 68, at least onevalve 70 and piping or conduit 72. In one embodiment, a first valve 70 acontrols the flow of water into the heater 68 and a second valve 70 bcontrols the flow of water exiting the heater 68 is provided.Accordingly, the first valve 70 a and the associated piping 72 form aninlet assembly, and the second valve 70 b and the associate piping 72form an exit assembly. Collectively, the heater element 68, the firstand second valves 70 a, b and the piping 72 form a heater assemblyconnected to the tray 22 by the fourth bay 66. Referring to FIGS. 4 and5, the fourth bay 66 extends between the side walls 74 of the mountingtray 22 and includes an opening 76 in each side wall 74 that accepts anextent of the conduit 72. The fourth bay 66 also includes a rear wall78, that is preferably curvilinear, and a bottom wall 80. At itsintermediate portion, the fourth bay 66 has a retaining element 82extending from the rear and bottom walls 78, 80, and that engages andsecures the heater 68 in a force fit. The retaining element 82 featuresa curvilinear engaging surface 84 and a frontal rib 86 that collectivelycradle the generally cylindrical heater 68. In one embodiment, the rib86 is resilient and flexes when the heater 68 makes contact with the rib86 as it is inserted into the bay 66. Near the ends of the fourth bay 66and flanking the retaining element 82, a channel 88 extends upward andtowards the first, second and third bays 36, 46, 56. Each channel 88 isconfigured to accommodate the valve 70, including the lever 71 used toactuate the valve 70. Preferably, the channel 88 is large enough toallow the spa owner and/or the service technician to grasp and actuatethe lever 71. Accordingly, the levers 71 can be actuated to controlwater inlet and outlet flow, whereby the heater 68 can be removed,serviced and replaced under a modular approach without removing theassociated conduit lines 72 and the valve(s) 70. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3and 5, the channel 88 leads to a second opening 90 in the side wall 74,which accepts the various wires and leads extending between thecomponents 14. For example, a first wire group 100 extends between thecontrol panel 48 and a pump 94 and through one of the openings 90 (seeFIG. 1). Similarly, a second wire group 102 extends through the opening90. As such, the openings 90 allow for the interconnection of components14 mounted in the tray 22 with other components residing in the cavity20.

As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the mounting tray 22 has anarticulated rear surface 92 resulting from the first, second, third andfourth bays 36, 46, 56, 66. Because the bays 36, 46, 56, 66 extendrearward from the central portion 44, the respective rear walls 42, 49,59, 69 are positioned rearward or behind the central portion 44 and theflange 32. These attributes are depicted in FIG. 7, where the tray 22and some components are in the installed position PI. In the installedposition PI, the tray 22 is secured to the support frame 16, namely theupper header 27 and the lower footer 28, by fasteners 31 extendingthrough the flange 32. Referring to FIG. 7, the flange 32 resides in afirst plane that is inward of a reference plane in which the panel 32resides, the central portion 44 resides in a second plane that is inwardof the first plane, and the rear wall 49 of the second bay 46 resides ina third plane that is inward of the second plane. Preferably, the first,second and third planes are substantially vertical planes that areperpendicular to the header 27 and the footer 28. As shown in FIG. 7,both the control panel 48 and the heater 78 reside between the first andthird planes. Furthermore, there is an appreciable clearance or gap Gbetween the spa tub 18 and both the components 14 and the rear wall 49.

In another embodiment, tray 22 is mounted horizontally and notvertically as shown in FIGS. 1-7. In this embodiment, the tray 22 isoriented substantially parallel to the ground supporting the spa 10,below the tub 18 and within the cavity 20. The support frame 16 includesa slider mechanism that operably supports the tray 22 such that the tray22 is horizontally moved between an open position wherein the tray 22 ispositioned external to the cavity 20, and a closed position wherein thetray 22 is positioned within the cavity 20. In the open position, thecomponents 14 can be mounted to and/or removed from the tray 22. In theclosed position, the components 14 reside within the cavity 20 foroperation of the spa 10. The slider mechanism may include elongatedrails that slidingly engage each other to allow for movement between theopen and closed positions. The slider mechanism may also include apivoting mechanism that pivots the tray 22 and the components 14 upwardto a generally vertical orientation to facilitate removal andinstallation of the components 14.

In another embodiment, the tray 22 has a peripheral flange 22 and acentral portion 44 residing therein. The central portion 44 includes atleast one connector that secures a component 14 to the tray 22. Unlikethe bays 24 described above, the connector extends forward and is notrecessed from the central portion 44. The connector comprises a singlebracket member that engages and secures the component 14 to the centralportion 44. The component 14 may feature a housing with a receptaclethat receives an extent of the bracket member, and a fastener may beutilized to further secure the component 14. Alternatively, theconnector comprises a bracket assembly that is affixed to a frontsurface of the central portion 44 and that engages at least one surfaceof the component 14. For example, the bracket assembly includes a firstL-shaped bracket member and a second L-shaped bracket member, whereinthe bracket members are spaced a distance apart to define a cavitycooperatively dimensioned with a component 14. The component 14, such asthe control panel 48 or the ozonator 58, is inserted within the cavitywhereby the upper and lower bracket members engage portions of thecomponent 14. When the first and second bracket members are verticallyarranged, the first bracket member engages an upper surface of thecomponent 14 and the lower bracket member engages a lower surface of thecomponent 14. The engagement provided by the first and second bracketmembers retains the component 14 within the bracket cavity. A fastener,such as a threaded screw, pin or deformable finger, can be implementedto further secure the component 14 within the bracket and to the tray22. Because the connector extends from the front surface of the tray 22,the component 14 also protrudes from or extends forward of the frontsurface. Preferably, the connector is dimensioned such that an innersurface of the component 14 contacts the front surface of the centralportion 44.

Further, the first and second bracket members may be moveable wherein aprimary bracket segment pivots or rotates about a secondary bracketsegment that remains stationary. In this manner, the bracket member ismoveable between an open position wherein the primary bracket segment ispositioned to allow for insertion of the component 14 into the cavity,and a closed position wherein the primary bracket segment is pivotedinto engagement with the component 14. The bracket segments may bespring loaded and include cooperative engaging structures, such as teethor textured surfaces, that enhance the securement of the component 14.In a most preferred embodiment, the central portion 44 includes aplurality of connectors, wherein each connector is dimensioned to engageand secure a particular type of component 14, such as the electricalinterconnection interface 38, the ozonator 48, the control panel 58, andthe heater assembly 68.

While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described,numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing fromthe spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limitedby the scope of the accompanying Claims.

1. A portable spa comprising: a tub residing within a support frame, thesupport frame comprising an arrangement of horizontal frame members andvertical frame members; a plurality of operating components including anelectrical junction box and a control panel; and, a mounting trayaffixed to the support frame, the mounting tray having a flange, arecessed central portion, a first bay dimensioned to receive theelectrical junction box in a force fit, and a second bay dimensioned toreceive the control panel in a force fit.
 2. The portable spa of claim1, wherein the first bay is defined by a side wall arrangement thatextends rearward from the central portion of the tray.
 3. The portablespa of claim 2, wherein the first bay also includes a rear wall that ispositioned rearward of the flange.
 4. The portable spa of claim 1,wherein a front portion of the control panel resides forward of thecentral portion and a rear portion of the control panel resides rearwardof the central portion.
 5. The portable spa of claim 1, wherein a cableelectrically connects the junction box with the control panel, andwherein the power to the control panel is interrupted by disconnectingthe cable from the junction box.
 6. The portable spa of claim 1, whereinthe mounting tray further includes a third bay that is dimensioned toreceive an ozonator in a force fit.
 7. The portable spa of claim 6,wherein the mounting tray further includes a fourth bay that isdimensioned to receive a heater in a force fit.
 8. The portable spa ofclaim 7, wherein the first through fourth bays are recessed from thecentral portion.
 9. A portable spa comprising: a tub supported within aframe arrangement; a cavity defined between the tub and the frame; and,a mounting tray affixed to the frame within the cavity, the mountingtray having a central portion, a first bay dimensioned to receive anelectrical junction box, a second bay dimensioned to receive a controlpanel, and a third bay dimensioned to receive an ozonator; and, whereinthe first, second and third bays are recessed from the central portion.10. The portable spa of claim 9, wherein the tray includes a flange thatis positioned against frame members of the frame arrangement.
 11. Theportable spa of claim 10, wherein the central portion is recessed fromthe flange.
 12. The portable spa of claim 9, wherein the tray includes afourth bay dimensioned to receive a heater element.
 13. The portable spaof claim 12, wherein the fourth bay extends between opposed side wallsof the tray.
 14. The portable spa of claim 13, wherein each tray sidewall includes an opening that accepts a conduit leading to one side ofthe heater.
 15. The portable spa of claim 12, wherein the fourth bayincludes a pair of channels that extends upward toward the second bay,and wherein each channel is dimensioned to accept a valve that controlsthe flow of water for the heater.
 16. The portable spa of claim 9,wherein a disconnectable cord electrically connects the junction boxwith the control panel.
 17. A spa mounting tray that centrally mountsoperational components within a cavity external to a spa shell, themounting tray comprising: a peripheral flange; and, an arrangement ofrecessed bays including a first bay dimensioned to receive an electricaljunction box; a second bay dimensioned to receive a control panel; athird bay dimensioned to receive an ozonator; and, a fourth baydimensioned to receive a heater; wherein the first through fourth baysare arrayed within the peripheral flange.
 18. The mounting tray of claim17, wherein the mounting tray includes a central portion recessed fromthe flange, and wherein the first through fourth bays are recessed fromthe central portion.
 19. The mounting tray of claim 17, wherein thefirst through fourth bays are dimensioned such that the respectiveoperational component is received in a force fit.
 20. The mounting trayof claim 17, wherein the first, second and third bays are each definedby an arrangement of side walls that extend rearward from the centralportion of the tray.
 21. The mounting tray of claim 20, wherein thefirst, second and third bays each include a rear wall that residesrearward of the central portion of the tray.
 22. The mounting tray ofclaim 17, wherein the fourth bay extends between opposed side walls ofthe tray, and wherein each tray side wall includes an opening thataccepts a conduit leading to one side of the heater.
 23. The mountingtray of claim 17, wherein the fourth bay includes a centrally positionedretaining element and a pair of channels that extends upward toward thesecond bay, and wherein each channel is dimensioned to accept a valvethat controls the flow of water for the heater.